After Mistaking My Stepsister’s First Love - Chapter 84
When Ye Wenjin realized the person at the door was Guan You, her first thought was that she must be seeing things. But after blinking several times in confusion, the figure still hadn’t disappeared.
At that moment, Ye Wenjin knew Guan You had actually sought her out.
But an important question immediately followed:
How did Guan You know where she was? And why had she come again? What was her goal this time?
Remembering what had happened last time, Ye Wenjin’s expression darkened instantly.
Last time, Guan You had delayed her at the banquet, nearly causing Jian Mo to have an accident. This time, Ye Wenjin refused to believe she was here just for a casual visit.
Moreover, she hadn’t even posted about being selected by Teacher Mei Yan for the training program on social media. Apart from her sister and three roommates, she hadn’t told anyone.
Yet Guan You had still shown up.
Ye Wenjin slowly walked forward, noticing the glimmer of anticipation in the other woman’s eyes. She deliberately stopped a couple of arm’s lengths away.
When she caught the fleeting disappointment in Guan You’s gaze, everything became clear.
“How did you find me this time? Who told you I was here? Aren’t you afraid I’ll report you for illegally investigating and selling my personal information?”
The forced smile on Guan You’s face faltered the moment Ye Wenjin spoke.
Her first instinct was to lash out, but the security guard nearby, who for some reason hadn’t returned to his post and was still watching them made her hold back. Suppressing her anger, she forced a gentle tone.
“Ah Jin, why are you talking to me like this? Isn’t it natural for a mother to visit her daughter?”
Her expression then turned proud. “I always knew my daughter was the best. You had a talent for dance even as a child, so I’m not at all surprised by your achievements now. Ah Jin, I’m so proud of you.”
Ye Wenjin was utterly baffled by these words. After enduring the one-sided performance for a while, she finally couldn’t take it anymore.
“What kind of nonsense are you spouting? Ms. Guan, do I need to remind you? You and Ms. Ye divorced when I was very young. Back then, I was so anxious from your constant arguments and shouting that I had no interest in dance whatsoever. So where exactly did you see this ‘talent’ of mine?”
Ye Wenjin couldn’t help but laugh. “If you’re going to lie, at least make it believable. Who exactly are you trying to move with these words? Or are you just trying to provoke me?
“But whatever feelings I had for you were exhausted long ago, over a decade of neglect after your divorce.
“And you seem to have forgotten that the reason for your divorce was your infidelity. How laughable. After ignoring me for over ten years, you suddenly pop up now, overflowing with motherly love.
“I don’t want to hear any of this. Just tell me, what do you want?”
Guan You’s face turned ashen. She hadn’t expected Ye Wenjin to be so blunt.
She distinctly remembered Ye Wenjin as a child soft, gentle, with a sweet smile, like a little angel. Whenever she took her out, passersby would always look at them with envy.
Moreover, she had heard that Ye Wenjin hadn’t fared well after following Ye Shuyao to the Yin family, and her personality had become timid and submissive someone easily manipulated.
But when she first saw Ye Wenjin at the banquet, she had sensed something was off. Now, listening to Ye Wenjin speak and observing her demeanor, she felt even more strongly that something was very wrong.
Where was the timidity? Where was the submissiveness that made her easy to control?
Guan You couldn’t help but curse inwardly, though she kept her expression neutral in front of Ye Wenjin, only forcing a stiff smile.
Then, with a bitter expression, she said, “I know you hate me, but I had no choice back then. That woman threatened me. I truly didn’t want to divorce your mother or let Ye Shuyao take you away. I was helpless…”
Ye Wenjin had no patience for her excuses or her performance. To her, Guan You’s gestures and expressions were stiff, her acting poor and full of holes.
So she cut straight to the point: “I don’t care what excuses you have. What happened was over a decade ago. If you truly cared about me, you wouldn’t disturb me now.
You showed up uninvited at an important event before, disrupting me once. I let it slide, but I never expected you’d be so shameless.
My stance is clear, I want nothing to do with you. Yet you’ve somehow learned about my recent life and even came looking for me, causing me great distress.
If you were sincere, I might have listened. But clearly, you’re not. That’s enough. I’ve already wasted too much training time. I’m leaving.”
With that, Ye Wenjin took another step back, widening the distance between them. “Ms. Guan, please leave. There’s nothing left to say.”
Guan You grew frantic. “Ah Jin, don’t go! Let’s talk properly, okay? I know I was wrong, just give me a chance. There’s a milk tea shop nearby. Young people like milk tea these days, right? My treat. Just hear me out, I’ll explain everything properly.”
Hearing this, Ye Wenjin only quickened her retreat.
If she had been unsure of Guan You’s intentions before, she was certain now. The desperation to lure her outside? She knew if she stepped out, she wouldn’t be coming back.
Her face full of wariness, she retreated to a safe distance before stopping.
“Save your breath, Ms. Guan. I don’t trust you, so I won’t be going anywhere. Sorry to disappoint whoever’s behind you, but I feel nothing for you as my biological mother. I won’t fall for this.”
Then, turning to the security guard who had been silently watching the drama, she added, “Sorry for the trouble. If this woman comes again, don’t notify me. I won’t see her.”
The guard, having enjoyed the show and pieced together Guan You’s character, chuckled warmly. “Don’t worry, kid. Got it. You’d better head back now.”
Ye Wenjin gave him a grateful glance before walking away without sparing Guan You another look.
Neglected and fuming, Guan You trembled with rage but could only watch helplessly as Ye Wenjin walked away. She didn’t dare enter, the venue was under heavy surveillance, and any suspicious movement would be caught. Besides, there were people around.
What annoyed her even more was Jian Mo. That woman was notoriously difficult to deal with. If she found out Guan You had taken Ye Wenjin away, not only would Guan You gain nothing, but she might also end up paying a steep price.
The original plan was simple: lure Ye Wenjin to the milk tea shop, where someone else would take over. But now the plan had fallen apart Ye Wenjin hadn’t taken the bait at all!
Gritting her teeth, Guan You stared resentfully at Ye Wenjin’s retreating figure, rooted to the spot.
The security guard had been observing Guan You the whole time. The emotions flickering across her face made it clear—if that girl had left just now, something bad might have happened.
And if anything went wrong during her shift, she’d be held responsible.
So the guard immediately lost any semblance of politeness, shooing Guan You away.
Left with no choice, Guan You had to leave.
Meanwhile, sensing something was off, Ye Wenjin called Jian Mo on her way back, but no one picked up.
Frowning, Ye Wenjin assumed Jian Mo was busy and sent a text instead, planning to reconnect after morning training.
Yet, as she prepared to return to the training room, an uneasy feeling nagged at her. She pulled out her phone again and dialed the secretary’s number.
At this hour, unless something unexpected had happened, Jian Mo should be at the company.
Logically, Ye Wenjin knew it was normal Jian Mo was probably in a meeting or discussing business. But Guan You’s sudden appearance had left her unsettled, so she stopped and decided to confirm with the secretary.
The dial tone dragged on for what felt like forever. Just as Ye Wenjin was about to hang up, the secretary finally answered.
Relief washed over her. “Secretary He, sorry to bother you. Is Jian Mo in a meeting? I tried calling her, but she didn’t pick up. I’m a little worried.”
Secretary He was surprised Ye Wenjin rarely called to check on Jian Mo’s whereabouts. For a second, she almost read too much into it.
But she quickly composed herself. “There was a meeting scheduled this morning, but it hasn’t started yet. Ms. Jian is in her office. Would you like me to ask her to call you back?”
Ye Wenjin thought for a moment. “Please do. Let her know it’s me.”
Secretary He agreed, and the call ended.
Ye Wenjin stared at her phone, and soon enough, Jian Mo called back.
The moment she heard Jian Mo’s voice, the tension in her chest finally eased.
“Jiejie, you didn’t answer. I thought something happened to you.”
Jian Mo sounded surprised. “What’s wrong? Did something happen on your end?”
Ye Wenjin recounted Guan You’s visit, then added, “I was worried about you, so I wanted to make sure.”
Amusement laced Jian Mo’s voice. “Ah Jin worrying about me? I couldn’t be happier.”
Then her tone shifted. “I’ll handle Guan You. Don’t worry, she won’t bother you again.”
Hearing this, Ye Wenjin was taken aback, her tone unconsciously growing tense. “Sister, you wouldn’t…”
Jian Mo chuckled. “What are you thinking? I won’t do anything illegal, don’t worry. There are plenty of legal ways. In any case, she won’t have time to bother you anymore. Ah Jin, focus on your training. Isn’t your break coming up in a couple of days? I’ll come pick you up then.”
Ye Wenjin couldn’t help but smile. “Alright. Sister, take care of yourself at work too.”
“You too. Training is important, but so is your health. Don’t push yourself too hard.”
Ye Wenjin agreed. Taking a deep breath, she returned to the training room.
The moment she stepped inside, any sense of ease vanished. Even if she wanted to relax, she couldn’t, the pressure drove her to keep pushing forward.
Fortunately, the break was just two days away, giving her a chance to reset her mindset.
But before the break arrived, the first round of assessments did.
Before the intensive training began, Teacher Mei Yan had already laid out the selection rules.
The training team would undergo assessments every half-month. After two rounds, the bottom 20% would be eliminated and the first assessment was imminent.
Even though no one would be cut this time, everyone knew what it meant. Any mistake now could jeopardize their chances of staying for the next round.
For efficiency, the trainees were divided into three groups of ten, allowing the assessments to conclude quickly, results would be announced the same day.
Under this pressure, the atmosphere in the training team grew even more solemn.
Ye Wenjin found it suffocating, but this time, she didn’t let her thoughts spiral. She had matured a lot in just half a month.
Yet her nervousness hadn’t lessened much. Given the stakes, her focus was sharper than ever, she couldn’t afford even the slightest misstep.
Luo Xi strolled over and couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of her. “I’ve noticed something, why do you always get so nervous? Logically, you shouldn’t.”
Ye Wenjin glanced at her. “You’re not nervous?”
Luo Xi shrugged. “I’m confident. Besides, this is just the first assessment. No need to stress. If it were the final round deciding who stays, then I’d be nervous.”
Ye Wenjin realized Luo Xi was brimming with self-assurance.
She knew herself well, which was why her mindset was so steady.
In that regard, Ye Wenjin couldn’t compare.
She exhaled slowly and murmured, “I can’t help it, Luo Xi. Our experiences are different. Maybe you’ve been through many selections like this, but for me, it’s the first time.”
Luo Xi grinned. “You’re right. I’ve been through plenty before Teacher Mei Yan, I’ve joined big and small selections abroad.”
Ye Wenjin was stunned. “Then why…”
She caught herself, feeling she might have overstepped.
But Luo Xi didn’t mind. “I have the right to choose, don’t I? Those troupes weren’t the right fit, so I kept looking. Staying with a troupe is a long-term commitment, I don’t want to force myself.”
Ye Wenjin was speechless.
Luo Xi was so clear-headed. She had her path mapped out and knew exactly what she wanted.
That kind of strength, confidence, and freedom most people couldn’t achieve it.
Ye Wenjin suddenly sighed with emotion, “Luo Xi, you’re really amazing.”
Luo Xi raised an eyebrow. “Thanks for the praise, but I’ll still give my all in the assessment, my goal is first place.”
Seeing the faint challenge in her eyes, Ye Wenjin smiled. “Of course, I’m looking forward to it.”
Her heart suddenly felt much more at ease.
She wasn’t without options, so she could afford to relax a little.